Articulating paper dispenser

ABSTRACT

An articulating paper dispenser is provided including an upper housing and a lower housing that, when engaged together, form a both a lubricant container and a chamber for containing an articulating paper roll. The articulating paper that is unwound from the articulating paper roll is passed through the lubricant container. The articulating paper dispenser will preferably include pressure rollers to guide the articulating paper through a dispensing slot in the dispenser. The lubricant container is configured to contain a lubricant that increases the marking ability of the articulating paper. As the articulating paper is dispensed from the articulating paper system, it is coated on both sides with a thin layer of the lubricant. The lubricant-coated articulating paper is then used to check a patient&#39;s occlusion more accurately and precisely.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/817,024, Jun. 28, 2006, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to dental devices, and moreparticularly, to a device to dispense articulating paper in a mannerthat improves the articulating paper's ability to indicate dentalocclusion or alignment of a patient's teeth by transfer of material toteeth.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is important in many dental procedures to determine the dentalocclusal contact points, the points where the teeth of the lower jawcontact the corresponding teeth of the upper jaw when the jaws areclosed. These dental procedures include not only procedures in which theocclusal surface of the dental restorative or of the natural tooth iscontoured, such as in preparing dental restoratives of various types orin improving the occlusion of certain or all of the natural teeth, butalso include analyzing the progress of dental treatments or orthodontictreatment plans.

Typically the patient's occlusion is determined by conducting dentalarticulation tests using articulating paper. Articulating paper isformed from varying materials such as paper, Mylar, film, or silk, whichis embedded, impregnated, or coated with one or more color pigments.Articulating paper is commonly available in strips or rolls of varyingthicknesses.

The articulating paper is placed between the occlusal surfaces of theupper and lower teeth of the patient. Then the opposing tooth surfacesare brought into occluding relationship with each other, which causesthe color pigment of the articulating paper to be displaced onto thetooth surfaces at the points of contact. The articulating paper isremoved, and the markings remaining on the teeth are analyzed todetermine the points of contact as well as the relative biting pressuresexerted by the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.

The size, shape, and/or color of the displaced color pigment isindicative of such contact points and pressures. Thus the occlusalsurface of the dental restorative or the natural tooth can be contouredor the progress of the orthodontic treatment ascertained. For example,if the bite surface is too high, a bite plane correction can be made byscraping or filing the marked contact points to the extent necessary toachieve the proper bite contact. Without precise and accurate markings,the dental professional may not have the information required to performthese and other dental procedures in an optimal manner, increasing therisk of dental disease, poor cosmetic results, or patient discomfort.

The current articulating paper system does not consistently provide therequired precise, accurate markings. Furthermore, at times the colorpigment coating on the paper becomes dry, resulting in indistinct orinaccurate marking of the contact points between the occlusal surfaces.As a solution to this problem, petroleum jelly can be manually spreadthinly on the coated sides of each strip of the articulating paperimmediately prior to use. While this practice makes the markings bolderand more predictable, it is messy and takes additional chair time. Itwould thus be beneficial to have a device that could lubricate thearticulating paper in a neat, streamlined, and time-efficient manner.

Accordingly, there is an established need for a time-saving articulatingpaper dispenser that could lubricate the articulating paper neatly,quickly, and efficiently so that the articulating paper would providemore precise, accurate marking of the contact points between theocclusal surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a convenient and labor-savingarticulating paper dispenser that is capable of neatly, quickly, andefficiently coating the articulating paper with a thin layer oflubricant so when the articulating paper is used it provides moreprecise, accurate, and predictably markings of the dental occlusalcontact points. The articulating paper dispenser includes a dispenserhousing having means to support a web or roll of articulating paper anda lubricant container disposed in the dispenser through whicharticulating paper is passed before being dispensed.

The articulating paper dispenser will preferably include pressurerollers to guide the articulating paper through a dispensing slot in thedispenser. The lubricant container is configured to contain a lubricantthat increases the marking ability of the articulating paper. As thearticulating paper is dispensed from the articulating paper system, itis coated on both sides with a thin layer of the lubricant. Thelubricant-coated articulating paper is then used to check a patient'socclusion more accurately and precisely.

An object of the present invention is to provide an articulating paperdispenser that is configured to lubricate articulating paper in a neat,tidy, streamlined manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an articulatingpaper dispenser that is configured to save both time and labor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an articulatingpaper dispenser that can be adapted for use with a wide variety ofarticulating papers, including ones formed from an assortment ofdifferent materials and ones of differing sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an articulatingpaper dispenser that is configured to modify the articulating paper bylubrication so that the articulating paper is capable of giving precise,accurate markings of the contact points between the occlusal surfaces ofteeth.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide anarticulating paper dispenser that is cost-effective.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION. OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, expanded view showing a first embodiment of thearticulating paper dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top diagrammatic view of the first embodiment of thearticulating paper dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, expanded view showing a second preferredembodiment of the articulating paper dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top diagrammatic view of the second preferred embodiment ofthe articulating paper dispenser of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective, expanded view showing a third embodiment of thearticulating paper dispenser of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward aconvenient and economical articulating paper dispenser that is capableof lubricating articulating paper in an efficient, neat, tidy, andtime-efficient manner resulting in more precise, accurate marking ofocclusal contact points by the lubricated articulating paper.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an articulating paper dispenser,shown generally as reference number 10, is illustrated in accordancewith the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, configuredas a manually-dispensing articulating paper dispenser. As shown, thearticulating paper dispenser 10 includes an upper housing 12 and a lowerhousing 15 that are securely engaged to form both an interior lubricantcontainer 30 for holding and covering the lubricant 33 and an interiorspool-containing chamber 34. The spool-containing chamber is sized andconfigured to contain and store the articulating paper roll 22, as thearticulating paper is dispensed.

The articulating paper dispenser 10 of the present invention is providedas both a disposable version and a refillable dispenser version.

To dispense, a strip of articulating paper (which has unwound from thearticulating paper roll 20 inside the dispenser) is manually pulled fromthe articulating paper dispenser 10 through a dispensing slot 19. Asstrips of articulating paper 25 are dispensed, more paper is unwoundfrom the articulating paper roll 20 and preferably proceeds through thefollowing path: around a restraining roller 24, through an entrancewiper 31, into the lubricant container 30 (where it is covered with alubricant), out of lubricant container 30 via an exit wiper 32, and outof articulating paper dispenser 10 via dispensing slot 19.

The articulating paper dispenser 10 is anticipated to be hand held, sothe outer shape and size of upper housing 12 and lower housing 15 isdesigned with ergonomics in mind. Lower housing 15 is preferablyunitarily molded at the time of manufacture with the following parts:the base section of lubricant container 30, dispensing slot 19,restraining roller 24, entrance wiper 31, exit wiper 32, and the basesection of spool-containing chamber 34. Shaft 16 is preferably unitarilymolded with lower housing 15, but may optionally be rotatably attached.Restraining roller 24 is preferably rotatably attached to lower housing15.

Upper housing 12 is configured to securely engage lower housing 15,thereby forming a lid for the spool-containing chamber base and aleak-resistant lid for the lubricant container base. Preferably, for therefillable version of the articulating paper dispenser, the upperhousing 12 is slidingly engaged with lower housing 15. Optionally, alatch (not shown) may be provided to secure the engagement. For thedisposable version of the articulating paper dispenser, the upperhousing 12 is preferably fixedly attached to lower housing 15 at thetime of manufacture.

Any of the wide variety of available articulating papers as are known inthe art may be used in the articulating paper dispenser 10. These wouldinclude, for example, articulating paper of a wide variety of widths andthicknesses that is formed from a variety of materials, such as paper,film, Mylar, or silk, and that is embedded, impregnated, or coated withone or more color pigments. Articulating paper roll 20 is preferablyobtained in a web or roll format, which has been achieved by winding thearticulating paper roll 20 onto spool 22, although it may be wound intoa roll in some other fashion, such as without a spool 22.

Spool 22 is placed on shaft 16, which may support spool 22 in either aloosely supported manner, or, optionally, in a rotatable manner. Ifshaft 16 is rotatable, optional adapters (not shown) that slidinglyengage on spool 22 to facilitate a snug fit between spool 22 and shaft16 may be included, if desired.

The interior of upper housing 12 is configured to provide aleak-resistant lid for the lubricant container 30, securely closing thetop of the lubricant container 30 when upper housing 12 is engaged onlower housing 15. The interior of upper housing 12 thus forms containerlid 13, 14 to substantially enclose the lubricant located withinlubricant container 30.

Restraining roller 24 aids in holding the articulating paper 25 in theproper position to enter lubricant container 30. The lubricant container30 is configured to hold and to store a lubricant that, when applied tothe strip of unwound articulating paper 25, will enable the articulatingpaper 25 to provide a more precise, accurate marking of occlusal contactpoints. Preferably the lubricant 33 (FIG. 5) contained in lubricantcontainer 30 will be petroleum jelly sold under the trademark Vaseline,but may optionally be some other water-based or oil-based lubricant,such as lanolin, mineral oil, or glycerin.

The lubricant container 30 may be provided in any shape, such asrectangular (as shown) or circular. The side wall of lubricant container30 is configured with an entrance wiper 31 and an exit wiper 32, whichare slots or openings that are designed to allow the articulating paper25 to enter and exit lubricant container 30 from the spool-containingchamber 34, while containing the lubricant 33 and preventing leakage.Therefore, entrance wiper 31 and exit wiper 32 should be sized onlyslightly larger than the articulating paper 25 or, alternatively, can besized somewhat larger with a flexible gasket material (now shown) liningentrance wiper 31 and exit wiper 32 to aid in containment of thelubricant. Exit wiper 32 is configured to remove excess lubricant fromarticulating paper 25, leaving only a thin coating of lubricantremaining on either side of articulating paper 25 after it passesthrough exit wiper 32. After the lubricant-coated articulating paper 25exits from the lubricant container 30 via exit wiper 32, it exits thearticulating paper dispenser 10 via dispensing slot 19.

As the articulating paper 25 is dispensed from the articulating papersystem, it is coated on both sides with a thin layer of the lubricant.The articulating paper 25 can be cut or torn to the appropriate lengthby the user. The lubricant-coated articulating paper is then used tocheck a patient's occlusion more accurately and precisely.

The disposable articulating paper dispenser 10 is pre-filled with thearticulating paper roll 20 and with the lubricant 33 enclosed inlubricant container 30 at the time of manufacture. The disposablearticulating paper dispenser 10 can be conveniently discarded when thelast of the articulating paper roll 20 has been dispensed and thenreplaced with a new articulating paper dispenser 10.

Alternatively, the articulating paper dispenser 10 can be Configured asa refillable container. Thus it would open to enable the user to replaceboth the articulating paper roll 20 and the lubricant 33. To replacearticulating paper roll 20, the user would insert the replacementarticulating paper roll 20 onto shaft 16 and place an unwound length orsection of the articulating paper 25 around restraining roller 24. Theunwound section of the articulating paper 25 would then be threaded intoentrance wiper 31, through lubricant container 30, into exit wiper 32,and out of articulating paper dispenser 10 via dispensing slot 19. Arefillable articulating paper dispenser 10 would allow the user toreduce operating costs, while the disposable model offers moreconvenience.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated that is similar to the first embodimentof FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, but is configured as a motorized articulatingpaper dispenser 10′. The second embodiment is similar to the firstembodiment with the addition of a battery-powered motor 26 (and itsassociated components) that provides power to unwind the strip ofarticulating paper 25 and to automatically extend it from dispensingslot 19.

Motor 26 provides power through bushing 18 to shaft 21 that is coupledto first gear 28. First gear 28 engages second gear 27. First pressureroller 38 and second pressure roller 37 are coupled to first gear 28 andsecond gear 27, respectively. Second pressure roller 37 is rotatedcounter-clockwise and pressure roller 38 is rotated clockwise either incontact with one another or with only the width of articulating paper 25between them. Thus the articulating paper 25 is held between them and isautomatically extended from dispensing slot 19. As the articulatingpaper 25 is drawn between first pressure roller 37 and second pressureroller 38, the articulating paper roll 20 is further unwound and thepaper is drawn through the articulating paper path. One or more smallbatteries (not shown) are provided to power motor 26. Motor 26 ispreferably provided with a manually activated on-off switch 29. A motorcontrol system (not shown) is may optionally be supplied to control andto actuate motor 26 to dispense a selected length of the articulatingpaper. If desired, adjustable motor control system settings can beprovided to set the dispensed length of articulating paper dispensed bythe motor.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, configured as a mechanically activatedarticulating paper dispenser 10″. The third embodiment is similar to thesecond embodiment but, instead of motor 26, it includes a manual powerinput device and appropriate mechanical linkages and gearing to utilizethe manually input power to unwind the strip of articulating paper 25and to extend it from dispensing slot 19. Such manual power input devicemay be, for example, a lever, or, as illustrated, a thumb wheel 41.Preferably the mechanical linkages and gearing are disposed within anenclosure or casing 40.

When thumb wheel 41 is moved laterally, it drives gearing in casing 40that is coupled to first gear 28 via shaft 21 through bushing 18. Firstgear 28 engages second gear 27, thereby rotating second pressure roller37 counter-clockwise and first pressure roller 38 clockwise with thearticulating paper 25 between them. Thus moving thumb wheel 41 extendsthe articulating paper 25 from dispensing slot 19.

Other mechanically activated dispensing mechanisms as are known in theart, such as a spring action mechanism, could also be used.

The articulating paper dispenser is preferably molded from plasticmaterials or other synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers, for example:ABS resins, acetyl resins, nylon resins, urethane resins, or high impactpolystyrene resins.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

1. An articulating paper dispenser for lubricating and dispensing anunwound section of an articulating paper roll, comprising: an outerhousing comprising an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein saidupper housing is fittingly engagable on said lower housing, wherein saidouter housing is sized and configured to receive said articulating paperroll, and wherein said lower housing comprises at least one lowerhousing side wall, and wherein said at least one lower housing side wallis configured with a dispensing slot that is configured for dispensingsaid unwound section of said articulating paper roll; a lubricantcontainer firmly attached to said lower housing, said lubricantcontainer having at least one lubricant container side wall in aconfiguration forming a lubricant reservoir to contain and deliver alubricant; an entrance wiper slot provided through said at least onelubricant container side wall at a first location; an exit wiper slotprovided through said at least one lubricant container side wall at asecond location, wherein said entrance wiper slot and said exit wiperslot are positioned to guide said paper to pass directly through saidlubricant reservoir; a flexible entrance wiper gasket material liningsaid entrance wiper slot, wherein said entrance wiper gasket materialretains said lubricant within said lubricant reservoir, while allowingsaid paper to pass therethrough; a flexible exit wiper gasket materiallining said exit wiper slot, wherein said exit wiper gasket materialretains said lubricant within said lubricant reservoir, while allowingsaid paper to pass therethrough and removes excess lubricant from saidpaper, leaving only a thin coating of lubricant remaining on both sidesof said paper; a restraining roller rotatably attached to said lowerhousing; and a shaft attached to said lower housing, said shaft sized toreceive said articulating paper roll.
 2. The articulating paperdispenser for lubricating and dispensing an unwound section of anarticulating paper roll as recited in claim 1, further comprising: adrive means operably mounted within said lower housing; and a pair ofpressure rollers disposed within said lower housing and operably coupledto said drive means, wherein said pair of pressure rollers areconfigured to extend a portion of said unwound section of saidarticulating paper roll through said dispensing slot when said drivemeans is activated.
 3. The articulating paper dispenser for lubricatingand dispensing an unwound section of an articulating paper roll, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said drive means comprises a motor.
 4. Thearticulating paper dispenser for lubricating and dispensing an unwoundsection of an articulating paper roll as recited in claim 2, whereinsaid drive means comprises a manual power input device.
 5. Thearticulating paper dispenser for lubricating and dispensing an unwoundsection of an articulating paper roll as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid manual power input device comprises a thumb wheel.
 6. Thearticulating paper dispenser for lubricating and dispensing an unwoundsection of an articulating paper roll as recited in claim 2, whereinsaid articulating paper roll is disposed on said shaft, and wherein saidunwound section of said articulating paper extends from saidarticulating paper roll through said entrance wiper slot into saidlubricant container and exits from said lubricant container through saidexit wiper slot and extends through said dispensing slot to the exteriorof said outer housing.
 7. The articulating paper dispenser forlubricating and dispensing an unwound section of an articulating paperroll as recited in claim 2, further comprising a lubricant disposedwithin said lubricant container.
 8. The articulating paper dispenser forlubricating and dispensing an unwound section of an articulating paperroll as recited in claim 7, wherein said lubricant comprises petroleumjelly.
 9. A lubricating articulating paper dispenser for lubricating anddispensing an unwound strip of articulating paper from an articulatingpaper roll comprising: a lower housing having an interior bottomsurface, said lower housing comprising a lubricant container base, aspool-containing chamber base, and at least one lower housing outer sidewall, wherein said at least one lower housing outer side wall isconfigured with a dispensing slot, wherein said spool-containing chamberbase is sized and configured to receive said articulating paper roll,said lubricant container comprising at least one lubricant containerside wall in a configuration forming a lubricant reservoir to containand deliver a lubricant; an entrance wiper slot provided through said atleast one lubricant container side wall at a first location; an exitwiper slot provided through said at least one lubricant container sidewall at a second location, wherein said entrance wiper slot and saidexit wiper slot are positioned to guide said paper to pass directlythrough said lubricant reservoir; a flexible entrance wiper gasketmaterial lining said entrance wiper slot, wherein said entrance wipergasket material retains said lubricant within said lubricant reservoir,while allowing said paper to pass therethrough; a flexible exit wipergasket material lining said exit wiper slot, wherein said exit wipergasket material retains said lubricant within said lubricant reservoir,while allowing said paper to pass therethrough and removes excesslubricant from said paper, leaving only a thin coating of lubricantremaining on both sides of said paper; an upper housing having an upperhousing interior surface, said upper housing comprising at least oneupper housing side wall, said at least one upper housing side wallconfigured to securely engage said at least one lower housing outer sidewall, said upper housing interior surface configured to form a lubricantcontainer lid and a spool-containing chamber lid; wherein said lowerhousing further comprises a shaft attached to said interior bottomsurface of said lower housing within said spool-containing chamber base,wherein said shaft is configured to receive and to support saidarticulating paper roll; and wherein said lower housing furthercomprises a restraining roller attached to said interior bottom surfaceof said lower housing within said spool-containing chamber base, whereinsaid restraining roller is configured to guide said unwound strip ofarticulating paper.
 10. The articulating paper dispenser for dispensingan unwound strip of articulating paper from an articulating paper roll,as recited in claim 9, wherein said shaft is rotatably attached to saidinterior bottom surface of said lower housing.
 11. The articulatingpaper dispenser for dispensing an unwound strip of articulating paperfrom an articulating paper roll, as recited in claim 9, wherein saidlubricant container base contains a lubricant.
 12. The articulatingpaper dispenser for dispensing an unwound strip of articulating paperfrom an articulating paper roll, as recited in claim 11, wherein saidlubricant comprises petroleum jelly.
 13. The articulating paperdispenser for dispensing an unwound strip of articulating paper from anarticulating paper roll, as recited in claim 9, wherein saidspool-containing chamber base contains said articulating paper roll, andwherein said unwound strip of articulating paper extends from saidspool-containing chamber base through said entrance wiper slot into saidlubricant container base and extends from said lubricant container basethrough said exit wiper slot.
 14. The articulating paper dispenser fordispensing an unwound strip of articulating paper from an articulatingpaper roll, as recited in claim 13, wherein said unwound strip ofarticulating paper extends said exit wiper slot and further extendsthrough said dispensing slot to the exterior of said articulating paperdispenser.
 15. The articulating paper dispenser for dispensing anunwound strip of articulating paper from an articulating paper roll, asrecited in claim 9, further comprising: a motor disposed within saidlower housing; and a first pressure roller disposed within said lowerhousing and operably coupled to said motor.
 16. The articulating paperdispenser for dispensing an unwound strip of articulating paper from anarticulating paper roll, as recited in claim 15, further comprising: afirst pressure gear coupled to said motor and coupled to said firstpressure roller, wherein said first pressure gear transmits rotationalforce from said motor to said first pressure roller; a second pressuregear coupled to said first pressure gear; and a second pressure rollercoupled to said second pressure gear, wherein said first pressure rollerand said second pressure roller are configured to allow said unwoundstrip of articulating paper to be placed between them in such a positionas to be extended by the rotational force of said motor.
 17. Thearticulating paper dispenser for dispensing an unwound strip ofarticulating paper from an articulating paper roll, as recited in claim9, further comprising: a manual power input device; and a first pressureroller disposed within said lower housing and rotated by said manualpower input device.
 18. The articulating paper dispenser for dispensingan unwound strip of articulating paper from an articulating paper roll,as recited in claim 17, further comprising: a first pressure gearcoupled to said manual power input device and coupled to said firstpressure roller, wherein said first pressure gear transmits rotationalforce from said manual power input device to said first pressure roller;a second pressure gear coupled to said first pressure gear; and a secondpressure roller coupled to said second pressure gear, wherein said firstpressure roller and said second pressure roller are configured to allowsaid unwound strip of articulating paper to be placed between them insuch a position as to be extended by the rotational force of said manualpower input device.
 19. The articulating paper dispenser for dispensingan unwound strip of articulating paper from an articulating paper roll,as recited in claim 18, wherein said manual power input device is athumb drive.